European Microfinance Award 2017: Microfinance for Housing

Enabling housing investment by low-income and financially excluded households holds one of the highest returns in both social and economic development. Yet unlike health and education, where governments often play a major or even dominant role, housing markets are largely comprised of private actors.

The topic for the European Microfinance Award 2017, "Microfinance for Housing," highlighted the role of microfinance in supporting access to better quality residential housing for low-income, vulnerable and excluded groups. This document presents the background on the Award, outlines the selection process, the Award ceremony and showcases the Award winner, Cooperative Tosepantomin, Mexico, and the two finalists, Mibanco, Peru and The First MicroFinance Bank – Afghanistan.